As we step into 2025, Vancouver’s food scene is gearing up for an exciting year filled with highly anticipated openings.
From international heavyweights to local fan favs expanding their reach, these upcoming food spots promise to bring fresh flavors, innovative concepts, and more reasons to indulge.
Here’s a look at the most anticipated food spots to open in 2025!
1. Time Out Market Vancouver
The massive 900 seat food hall, Time Out Market Vancouver, is expected to open in 2025, bringing together the best local chefs, restaurants, and cultural experiences under one roof.
Located in Oakridge Park, this ambitious foodie destination will span over 60,000 sq ft, featuring 17 live cooking kitchens, three bars, a coffee shop, a dessert counter, and spaces for art and entertainment.
It will be the second Time Out Market in Canada, the other one being in Montreal.
Address: Oakridge Park, Vancouver, BC
2. Big Way Hot Pot UBC & Lougheed
Big Way Hot Pot continues its impressive expansion streak into 2025, following the opening of five new locations in 2024.
In 2025, they are set to grow even more as they begin to take on areas beyond just Metro Vancouver like Victoria, Langley, Toronto, and California.
Locally, they’re expected to open a location at UBC (delayed from September 2024) and Lougheed.
But seeing their growth, we don’t doubt they’re also eyeing units around other Metro Vancouver major hubs like Brentwood and West Broadway.
It is clear that the city is well in love with Big Way and 2025 will be the same.
3. Din Tai Fung
The world-renowned Xiaolongbao restaurant was supposed to open its first Canadian location in Downtown Vancouver in 2024. But its now being pushed to 2025.
This highly anticipated establishment will allow local fans to enjoy their famous dumplings without traveling to Seattle.
Din Tai Fung is celebrated for its meticulous dumpling-making process, featuring precisely 18 folds and hand-crafted, paper-thin wrappers. With branches across the globe, its Vancouver location underscores the city’s growing attraction for international culinary brands.
Read the full scoop here.
Address: 1132 Alberni St, Vancouver, BC
4. Chengdu Street Food
The highly rated Sichuan restaurant from Toronto with an impressive 4.9-star rating is opening its first location in Richmond, occupying the former Daowei Haige space.
Known for its bold and authentic flavors, the restaurant will serve a variety of dishes ranging from spicy to milder options, including unique items like Stir Fried Beef Aorta and Sichuan Boiled Beef.
Fans eagerly await this new addition to Richmond’s food scene.
Read the full scoop here.
Address: 7911 Alderbridge Wy, Richmond, BC
5. Jay Nok
The modern Thai restaurant from the Kongsilp family, is set to open in early 2025, revitalizing the Vancouver dining scene following the closure of the iconic SalaThai after 38 years.
This new venture will occupy the former Flying Pig unit in Olympic Village and celebrate Thailand’s vibrant street food culture with a focus on communal dining.
Executive Chef Bumpen “Jay Nok” Khangrang will lead the kitchen, offering a menu that reimagines beloved Thai dishes with modern twists.
Read the full scoop here.
Address: 127 W 2nd Avenue, Vancouver, BC
6. Molly Tea
The mega-popular bubble tea brand from China is expected to open its first location in Metro Vancouver in 2025, following its recent success in Toronto.
Known for its exquisite Jasmine tea beverages, the brand is expanding rapidly with over 700 stores across China since its launch in February 2021.
Read the full scoop here.
Address: TBA, Richmond, BC
Website | Instagram
7. % Arabica Richmond
The popular Japanese coffee chain is opening its first permanent store in Metro Vancouver at CF Richmond Centre.
This location, formerly a Starbucks, will serve a variety of espresso-based drinks, including the acclaimed Kyoto Latte and Maple Latte, alongside matcha lattes and sparkling lemonades.
Known for its minimalist design, % Arabica was founded in 2013 and has gained a loyal global following.
Read the full scoop here.
Address: CF Richmond Centre
8. Jerusalem Shawarma
Alberta’s top-rated shawarma chain is opening its first location in British Columbia in downtown Vancouver, marking an exciting expansion for the family-run business.
Known for its delicious and authentic Palestinian flavours, the chain has an impressive average rating of 4.7 across its 11 locations in Alberta.
This new spot will be located at the former Paramount Fine Foods unit on Robson Street, which has remained vacant since June 2024.
Food lovers in Vancouver can look forward to classic favorites like juicy shawarma wraps and creamy hummus platters.
Read the full scoop here.
Address: 560 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2B7
9. June
The new brasserie-inspired restaurant, by the folks behind The Keefer Bar, was supposed to open in Cambie Village back in Fall.
But the plans has moved to 2025.
Located at 3305 Cambie Street, the venue will feature a vibrant 150-seater atmosphere, perfect for casual dining and late-night drinks.
Co-proprietors Cam Watt and Keenan Hood, alongside an accomplished culinary team, are committed to providing an exceptional dining experience, offering refined dishes paired with an impressive drink menu.
Read the full scoop here .
Address: 3305 Cambie Street, Vancouver, BC
10. Hei Hei Rice Roll
Loved for its Canton-style rice rolls, is set to open a new stall in Crystal Mall’s food court in Burnaby.
Known for attracting long lines in Richmond since its debut in 2021, the new location promises to bring its popular menu, featuring around 20 rice roll options, congee, and traditional Chinese desserts.
Read the full scoop here.
Address: Crystal Mall Food Court, Burnaby, BC
11. Bellwether
Seattle’s popular All You Can Eat Korean barbecue restaurant, is set to open a new location in Richmond, taking over the former Tian Shi Fu space on Alexandra Road.
This new branch will feature a hybrid menu offering both hot pot and BBQ, differing from its Seattle counterpart which focuses solely on BBQ.
As the demand for hot pot and Asian BBQ continues to rise in Metro Vancouver, Bellwether’s opening adds to the local culinary landscape, providing options like bulgogi, garlic beef, pork belly, and seafood delights.
Details about the exact menu offerings are still pending, but anticipation is building for this new dining experience.
Read the full scoop here.
Address: 8251 Alexandra Rd, Richmond, BC
12. Chez Céline
The team behind Micheline star-rated St. Lawrence recently revealed their next venture: Chez Céline.
Although no other information is out, St. Lawrence’s reputation for exquisite Quebecois cuisine means expectations are high for this new concept.
Chez Celine is set to open in Fraserhood in Spring 2025.
Address: Fraserhood, Vancouver
Rumour Mill:
We often get tips and info from various individuals about potential new spots.
Many are unconfirmed but some do end up being real.
But with so many new condos with retail units finishing and units at prime locations available due to restaurant closures, there’s a lot of opportunities for money-stacked brands and expansions to happen.
Take a grain of salt at what is below:
- Shake Shack Vancouver
- Chik Fil A Vancouver
- Marugame Udon Richmond
- Chagee Vancouver
- Ramen Danbo Burnaby
2025 is shaping up to be an incredible year for Metro Vancouver’s food scene, with these exciting new openings promising to elevate the city’s dining options.
Which of these new spots are you most excited to try?
For more new and upcoming food spots in Metro Vancouver, take a peek at our tracker here, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.